Expanding Scope Of Rights Class 9 – Concept, MCQ’s & Notes PDF

Topic covered: Expanding Scope Of Rights class 9 notes and MCQs Questions: Democratic Rights (All single detail notes are exam-oriented).

We have discussed in-depth and exam-oriented pointers that can be asked in the board exam of class 9th about the “Expanding Scope Of Rights“ from the NCERT Political Science (Civics) notes for class 9th chapter 5 Democratic Rights.

Download the NCERT Political Science (Civics) for Class 9th Chapter 5 Democratic Rights Notes PDF

Chapter 5: Democratic Rights in Class 9 Political Science focuses on one of the most important ideas in civics – our fundamental rights. It explains what rights citizens have, why they matter, and how they protect people from misuse of power. The chapter also includes real examples like the Right to Equality and the Right to Freedom to make the concepts easy to remember. These notes simplify each topic so you can revise quickly before exams. Download the NCERT Political Science (Civics) for Class 9th Chapter 5 Democratic Rights Notes PDF to strengthen your understanding and write better answers in tests.

Expanding Scope Of Rights

1. Fundamental Rights are not the only rights:

• Fundamental Rights are the source of all rights, but citizens enjoy a wider range of rights under the Constitution and laws.
• Courts have expanded the scope of rights through judgments over time.

2. Rights derived from Fundamental Rights:

• Right to freedom of press
• Right to information (enacted through a law under the Fundamental Right to freedom of thought and expression)
• Right to education (free and compulsory education for children up to age 14)
• Right to food (interpreted under the Supreme Court as part of the right to life)

3. Constitutional rights beyond Fundamental Rights:

• Right to property (not a Fundamental Right, but a constitutional right)
• Right to vote in elections (important constitutional right)

4. Human rights and moral claims:

• Human rights are universal moral claims; may or may not be legally recognized.
• Expansion of democracy and international covenants pressures governments to accept these claims.
• Rights evolve through people’s struggle and societal development.

5. Examples of new rights in other countries (South Africa):

• Right to privacy – protection against home searches, phone tapping, or communication interference.
• Right to a safe environment – protection from harm to health or well-being.
• Right to adequate housing.
• Right to health care, sufficient food and water – emergency medical treatment cannot be refused.

6. Emerging debates in India:

• Discussions about making right to work, right to health, right to minimum livelihood, and right to privacy fundamental rights in India.

Note: International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

• Nature of the Covenant
  • Recognises rights not directly part of Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution.
  • Not yet an international treaty, but considered a standard of human rights by activists globally.
• Rights recognized under the Covenant
  • Right to work – opportunity for everyone to earn livelihood.
  • Right to safe and healthy working conditions – fair wages ensuring decent living standards for workers and families.
  • Right to adequate standard of living – including adequate food, clothing, and housing.
  • Right to social security and insurance.
  • Right to health – includes medical care during illness, special care for women during childbirth, and prevention of epidemics.
  • Right to education – free and compulsory primary education and equal access to higher education.

Key Terms and Definitions

• Amnesty International: An international organisation of volunteers who campaign for human rights. This organisation brings out independent reports on the violation of human rights all over the world. 
• Claim: Demand for legal or moral entitlements a person makes on fellow citizens, society or the government. 
• Covenant: Promise made by individuals, groups or countries to uphold a rule or principle. It is legally binding on the signatories to the agreement or statement. 
• Dalit: A person who belongs to the castes which were considered low and not touchable by others. Dalits are also known by other names such as the Scheduled Castes, Depressed Classes etc.
• Ethnic group: An ethnic group is a human population whose members usually identify with each other on the basis of a common ancestry. People of an ethnic group are united by cultural practices, religious beliefs and historical memories. 
• Traffic: Selling and buying of men, women or children for immoral purposes. 
• Summon: An order issued by a court asking a person to appear before it. 
• Writ: A formal document containing an order of the court to the government issued only by High Court or the Supreme Court.

Next & Previous Topics of NCERT/CBSE Political Science (Civics) Class 9 Chapter 5: Democratic Rights

MCQs on NCERT Political Science (Civics) Class 9 Chapter 5 Topic – Expanding Scope Of Rights Class 9 Notes

Here are the top exam-oriented MCQ-type questions on “Expanding Scope Of Rights Class 9 Notes” that you should prepare for your CBSE or state board exams:

Question 1. Are Fundamental Rights the only rights that Indian citizens have?

a) Yes, they are the only rights
b) No, there are other constitutional, legal, and human rights
c) Yes, but only in rural areas
d) No, citizens have only moral rights

Answer: b) No, there are other constitutional, legal, and human rights

Question 2. Which of the following rights has been derived from the Fundamental Right to freedom of thought and expression?

a) Right to property
b) Right to information
c) Right to work
d) Right to education

Answer: b) Right to information

Question 3. School education up to age 14 in India is:

a) A Fundamental Right
b) A legal/derived right
c) Optional
d) Only for boys

Answer: b) A legal/derived right

Question 4. The Supreme Court of India has expanded the Right to Life to include:

a) Right to privacy
b) Right to health
c) Right to food
d) Right to education

Answer: c) Right to food

Question 5. Which of the following is not a Fundamental Right in India but a constitutional right?

a) Right to Freedom
b) Right to Equality
c) Right to Property
d) Right to Constitutional Remedies

Answer: c) Right to Property

Question 6. Right to vote in India is classified as:

a) Fundamental Right
b) Constitutional Right
c) Human Right only
d) Moral Right

Answer: b) Constitutional Right

Question 7. Which of the following is a human right recognized internationally but not necessarily by law?

a) Right to life
b) Right to work and safe working conditions
c) Right to equality
d) Right to Constitutional Remedies

Answer: b) Right to work and safe working conditions

Question 8. Rights that evolve over time as societies develop are:

a) Fixed Fundamental Rights
b) Expanding rights
c) Only moral rights
d) None of the above

Answer: b) Expanding rights

Question 9. Which of the following international covenants has contributed to the expansion of human rights?

a) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
b) International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
c) Universal Declaration of Human Rights
d) Geneva Convention

Answer: b) International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Question 10. Which of the following rights are guaranteed under the South African Constitution?

a) Right to privacy
b) Right to a healthy environment
c) Right to adequate housing and healthcare
d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Question 11. Which of these rights activists hope should become Fundamental Rights in India?

a) Right to work
b) Right to health
c) Right to minimum livelihood
d) Right to privacy
e) All of the above

Answer: e) All of the above

Question 12. Free and compulsory primary education for children up to 14 years in India is the responsibility of:

a) Judiciary
b) Local NGOs
c) Government
d) Parents only

Answer: c) Government

Question 13. The Right to Information Act is based on which Fundamental Right?

a) Right to equality
b) Right to life
c) Right to freedom of thought and expression
d) Right to constitutional remedies

Answer: c) Right to freedom of thought and expression

Question 14. Which of the following rights is not currently a Fundamental Right in India?

a) Right to life
b) Right to freedom
c) Right to work
d) Right to equality

Answer: c) Right to work

Question 15. Amnesty International is:

a) A branch of the United Nations
b) An international organization campaigning for human rights
c) A court for international crimes
d) A national human rights commission in India

Answer: b) An international organization campaigning for human rights

Question 16. A claim is defined as:

a) A government duty
b) A demand for legal or moral entitlements from fellow citizens, society, or government
c) A Fundamental Right
d) A punishment for violating rights

Answer: b) A demand for legal or moral entitlements from fellow citizens, society, or government

Question 17. Covenant means:

a) A moral suggestion
b) A legally binding promise made by individuals, groups, or countries
c) A type of Fundamental Right
d) A type of social practice

Answer: b) A legally binding promise made by individuals, groups, or countries

Question 18. Who are Dalits?

a) People belonging to high castes
b) People from Scheduled Castes, historically considered low and untouchable
c) Religious minorities
d) Government officials

Answer: b) People from Scheduled Castes, historically considered low and untouchable

Question 19. Traffic, in the context of rights violations, refers to:

a) Road congestion
b) Selling and buying of men, women, or children for immoral purposes
c) Child education
d) Industrial production

Answer: b) Selling and buying of men, women, or children for immoral purposes

Question 20. A writ is:

a) A law passed by Parliament
b) A formal court order issued by High Court or Supreme Court to government
c) A type of Fundamental Right
d) A moral obligation

Answer: b) A formal court order issued by High Court or Supreme Court to government

Question 21. To summon someone means:

a) To arrest them
b) To order them to appear before a court
c) To punish them
d) To write a legal document

Answer: b) To order them to appear before a court

Question 22. The expansion of rights over time is largely a result of:

a) Government monopoly
b) Struggle of the people and democratic development
c) International treaties only
d) Judicial restrictions

Answer: b) Struggle of the people and democratic development

Question 23. The right to privacy, right to health, right to minimum livelihood, and right to work are examples of:

a) Fundamental Rights in India
b) Expanding constitutional and human rights
c) Rights not recognized anywhere
d) Rights limited only to South Africa

Answer: b) Expanding constitutional and human rights

Question 24. Which of the following is true about human rights?

a) They are fixed by law only
b) They are universal moral claims, may or may not be legally recognized
c) Only Fundamental Rights qualify as human rights
d) Human rights cannot evolve

Answer: b) They are universal moral claims, may or may not be legally recognized

Question 25. Which of the following is an example of a right derived from Fundamental Rights in India?

a) Right to vote
b) Right to education
c) Right to property
d) Right to work

Answer: b) Right to education